Tool for applying armor rods to energized conductors



Dec. 7, 1948. HUBBARD 2,455,490

TOOL FOR APPLYING ARMOR RODS TO ENERGIZED CONDUCTORS Filed Feb. 12', 1947 v r j 2 Sheets-Sheet} INVENTOR. David C flubbazzi Dec. 7, 1948. HUBBARD I 2,455,490

TOOL FOR APPLYING ARMOR RODS TO ENERGIZED GONDUCTORS Filed Feb. 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

5/ Dam'd C. flubbamf as By M ATI'j Patented Dec. 7, 1948 TOOL FOR APPLYING ARMOR RODS TO ENERGIZED CONDUCTORS David C. Hubbard, Centralia, Mo., assignor to A. B. Chance Company, Centralia, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application February 12, 1947, Serial No. 728,121 14 Claims. (Cl. 5710) The present invention relates to tools for applying armor rods to energized conductors, and is particularly concerned with the application of armor rods which are bendable and which are to be tightly wrapped about an energized conductor, such as a high tension line.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of simple tools for the application of bendable armor rods to an energized conductor which permit the use of the same dies as are used in hand tools, and which are adapted to be operated by means of standard auxiliary tools, such as clamp sticks, disconnect sticks, etc., which are already in the possession of the user.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved armor rod applying tool which is simple to operate, and which is provided with a pair of half frames or jaws adapted to be held in open position and to be supported and manipulated by means of a clamp stick so that the rod wrapping frames may be assembled with the rods in a preliminary operation, mounted upon a pair of clamp sticks and then applied to the energized line conductor Without the necessity for cutting 01f the power.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved linemens tools for wrapping armor rods on energized conductors, which are easier to operate than the devices of the prior art, and which permit the application of the clamp stick or disconnect stick to the armor wrapping frame at a multiplicity of diiferent points about the frame so that force may be applied most advantageously by a push Or a pull, instead of requiring lateral movement of the stick, and so that the tools may be easily manipulated in places where the energized conductor is inconveniently located.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved wrapping tools by means of which armor may be applied to energized conductors quickly in a minimum. amount of time and with a minimum number of operators.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved armor applying tools for energized conductors which are sturdy, simple in construction, capable of manufacture at a low cost, and which are adapted to be used for a long period of time without repair or replacement of its parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the two sheets of drawings accompanying this specification,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective, showing the armor rods assembled and threaded through the dies of two of the rotating frames, the ends of the rods being taped together to provide a unitary assembly that can be applied to the energized conductor by means of clamp sticks;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of one of the die supporting frames shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the die supporting frame of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the frame and dies in open position;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View, taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of one of the open die supporting frames, with one die half removed.

Referring to Fig. 1, this shows an assembly of die supporting frames IO, N and a plurality of armor rods or wires l2, which have been assembled preliminary to their application to an energized conductor, such as a high tension line conductor,

The construction of the frames is shown in Figs. 2-6. Each die supporting frame comprises a half frame member l3 above and another half frame member I4 below. The half frame members l3, M are each formed with a central body |5, which has a half circular recess l6 provided with a half annular groove IT.

The central body portions l3, I4 are provided with opposed flat edges 8, 9 so that the two body portions l3, l4 may be brought into position adjacent each other, with the two half bores I6 having their side walls in registry with each other to form a complete circular bore which has a complete annular groove adapted to receive the two die halves 20, 2|.

The width of the annular groove |1 (Fig. 5) is sufiicient to receive the die halves 20, 2| so that the inwardly projecting annular flanges 22, 23, which border each of the bores 6, engage outside of the die halves 20, 2|, to prevent axial move ment of the dies in the frames.

In order to prevent movement of the die halves 20, 2| out of their recesses or grooves H, the frame bodies l3, M are provided with a pair of metal pins 24, 25 frictionally secured in bores 26 in the bodies I 3, l4, and havin an end portion 21 projecting outwardly into the annular groove I 1 Pins 24, 25 are located on the left side, adjapintle 3 cent the fiat edges l8, l9 of the two frame bodies l3, I4; and the die halves 20, 2| are provided with cylindrical recesses 28 for receiving these projecting portions 21 of the pins 24, 25.

The bodies 13, M of the frames are provided with set screws 29, 30, which are threaded into threadedzbores 3l,'32,also locatedadjacent each other and adjacent the flat edges l8, IQ of the bodies i4, i5, so that the set screws 29, 3B are almost diametrically opposite to the pins 24, 25.

Set screws 29, 30 also projectinto .the' groove I 1,.

as will be seen in Fig. and the die halves"2ll,*2i, are provided with cylindrical bores 33 located in their peripheries at a point suitable to receive the set screws 29, 30. Thus the die halves 20,2! may be placed in the grooves 11, with the pins 24 and 25 in their sockets 28, when the set screwsI29-,I30

' web :39 isoi sufficient length to allow only a limamount of pivotal movement of the entire frame on the eye bolt 44, thus preventing the frame from. tipping to one side or the other and the. eye-'boltfromsliding beyond the limits of the ends of the slot 41.

Each'ofthecntral bodies 15 of the two half are driven home, into the recesses 33, .the .die

halves 20, 2| are firmlyv secured in the two half frames i4, i5.

The die halves -'20, 2 I comprise "half circular members, each of which'is providedwith aflat side 34, Hand a'halfcircular aperture 36 for receiving the energized conductor on which the 'frame and die are to rotate, The'die halvesare also'provid'edwith a multiplicity of apertures3'l, preferably equally spaced from each other-and all located at substantiallythe same radius about the'c'entral aperture 36'for receiving the "armor rods or wires that-are to 'bewrapped about the energized conductor. I v

Various patterns and arrangementsoftheapertures 31 for the armor rods maybe employed; depending on the typeiofwrapping 'desired',buttthat which has 'beeniselected' to illustrate the invention is adapted to be used in wrappingten r'o'ds about the energized conductor.

The size andzstructure-of the'bodies l4, l5 and their grooves I"! is preferably such "that these .frames will receive thesame dies whichar'eprov.vid'edinhandtoolsithat are made by'the manufacturers of armor rods, so that the present tool does not require any new dies, and may beemployed with dies which the useralready has.

The bodies 13, I4of vided with a laterally projecting web 38,'39;. the

'end' portions of which are provided with'hinge formations 40, 4| for receiving a pintle 42, where'- by the two w'ebs138,139 are pivotaly mounted with respect to eachother. The hinge formation. isbiiurcated, and hinge formation 40 is received'between the formations 4|, as will be seen in Fig 6;andthe. ends .of the 42 may be .riveted over. The web 38 is provided on its fiat side IB'With a slot'43 .of sum- ,cient width and depth to receive the eye bolt 44, the upper end of which comprises an eye which is pivotally mounted'upon a pintle T45.

The pintlef45 may. be riveted .over atlbothlof its ends, and the web 38 maybe provided with a pair-of cylindrical bearing formations '46 for the .pintle' 45.

"The web '39 ofthe lower frame. half i4 is also provided with a through' slot for passingthe shank of the eye bolt '44. "The, eye bolt-44 has a lower threaded end 48; which is. adapted vto be received in the threaded bore '49'of anactuating 'member 50. i

'This actuating member comprises a substantially cylindrical body 5i and an enlarged eyel52, having an aperture 53 of the usual size employed on hot wire clamps and other members thatare "actuated by clamp sticks. 'The cylindrical body 5| preferably supports a radially projecting flange 54 intermediateits *endsyand the flange has a the frames are each .pro-

' larger than the aperture framesiS, i4 is preferably provided with one or more radially projecting arms 59, 60, 6|. As the threaded actuating member projects downwardly onthe lower half frame member l4,-this half frame member is'preferablyprovided with only one arn'r 6 I; while there is room on the upper half frame member I 3 for *two such arms 59', '50. *The'arms 59- 6l may-*eachbe formed with a thin central web 62 borderedbylaterally projecting reinforcing ribs 65564; and 'each arm carries at its endan-eye structure'65; having an aperture'BG 'of'sufllcient size to-receive the tool end of an ordinary disconnect stick.

Such adisconnect stick is a common tool in theline'mans kit; and therefore no additional tools are-required. Disconnect sticks customarily have a 1ateral1yprojecting cylindrical lug at the t0o1en'd,' th is lugbeing provided with a relatively small head. Therefore, the apertures GP-are 53in the eye 52 of the actuating-member. The reason for this is that the.'eye52 of the actuating member 5|] is intended to be used with a clamp stick, but the arms59- 61 "are intended to be actuated'by means of disconnect poles, which are more-readily applied and removed.

The 'method of'use' of 'the'armor applying tools is as follows: The frames-areprovided with their dies "and moved to theopen' position of 'Fig. 4

by turning the actuating member 50in a counterclockwise direction so that it'retracts'on the'eye makes a unitary 'assemblytthat "can be mounted on a pair of clamp sticKsJthe clamp sticks engaging the eyes"52of"each frame. This prevents the rods"from'sliding'out'of the assembly while the unit ishandledand placed on the energized conductor by meansfiorclamp sticks, and also while the first'turns are. being taken to twist "the armor rods on the conductor.

The tapezis left on'the rods during'the first twistingoperation; preferablybntil a' short section of'conductor' is covered with twisted rods,

so that the twisted .po'rti'ons'of the rods will hold them toprevent any longitudinal movement of one rod with respect to theother, andthe rods will not be disarranged' whilethe operator is removing'the tapeywhich is also done by means of atool' mounted .upon an insulating stick or pole. The clamp sticks are preferably so-manipulated that the eye 52 is drawn into the clamp stick head and the lugs are drawn into the appropriate groove in the end of the clamp stick head so that each frame is fixedly secured on one clamp stick.

The open sides of the frames are, of course, on the same side, and thus the assembly of wires and frames may be lifted by means of the clamp sticks and applied to the energized conductor. The clamp sticks are then rotated in a clockwise direction, drawing the eye screw 44 into the threaded actuating member 50 and driving the two frame halves of each frame against each other to close the dies, with the aperture 36 around the energized conductor.

The clamp sticks are then removed from the eyes 52. Thereupon one operator may take a disconnect stick and engage it in an aperture 66 in one of the arms of one frame, for holding that frame in fixed position. The other operator may then successively apply his disconnect stick to the eyes 65 of the arms on the other frame, and may push or pull, as the case may require to rotate the other frame and twist the wires l2 about the energized conductor.

After a single complete turn, or a few turns, the frame which has just been rotated is held still, and the other frame is rotated. When a short section of the energized conductor has been covered with twisted armor rods, so that the rods can no longer move lengthwise with respect to each other, and the rods and conductor are bound together as a unit, then the tapes 6'! are removed. The alternate holding of one frame and rotation of the other frame then continues until the frames progress to the ends of the wires and slide off the ends of the armor wires, which have been wrapped tightly about the energized conductor.

The frames are then removed by means of a clamp stick, which is again used to open the frames to the position of Fig. 4, and threaded clamping members are applied to the ends of the armor wires to clamp them tightly about the energized conductor and to prevent the armor Wires from becoming loose.

It will thus be observed that I have invented improved tools for applying armor rods or wires to energized conductors, these tools being capable of manipulation by means of ordinary clamp sticks and disconnect sticks. My armor rod applying tools are very simple and may be manufactured at a very low cost, as they are adapted to apply the same dies that are used in hand devices, which the user may already have, and it is not necessary to purchase new dies. Neither is it necessary to purchase any other tools, as the linemans kit always includes clamp sticks and disconnect sticks.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. The method of app y n armor rods to energized conductors which comprises supporting a plurality of armor rods in two pairs of die halves spaced from each other, the die halves being open and the rods being arranged in substantially half circular formation in each die half, securing the ends of the rods together at each end of the assembly, mounting the die halves upon insulating sticks, applying the die halves to an energized conductor withsaid insulated sticks, closing the die halves by means of said insulated sticksto mount the die halvesrotatably upon said energized conductor, removing the insulated sticks, removing the securing means at each end of the armor rods, holding one of the dies in fixed position, while the other die is rotated by means of the insulated stick, and alternately holding each die in fixed position, While the other die is rotated, until the dies pass off the ends of the rods and the rods are spirally wound on the energized conductor, and securing the ends of the wound armor rods in position by applying a clamping member to each end of the armor rod assembly.

2. In a tool for applying armor rods'to energized conductors, the combination of a pair of die halves, each die half being formed with a half circular central groove adapted to form a central aperture when the die halves are closed against each other, the said dies having a plurality of armor rod holes arranged in a circle about said central aperture, a supporting frame for each of said die halves, said frame being provided with a pair of half annular grooves, each groove supporting a die half, means for fixedly securing the die half in each of said groves, means for mounting each of said frames in a unit on a clamp stick, and means projecting from said frames and adapted to be engaged by an insulated stick for holding the frame in fixed position or for effecting a rotation of the frame to wind armor rods on an energized conductor.

3. In a tool for applying armor rods to energized conductors, the combination of a pair of die halves, each die half being formed with a half circular central groove adapted to form a central aperture when the die halves are closed against each other, the said dies having a plurality of armor rod holes arranged in a circle about said central aperture, a supporting frame for each of said die halves, said frame being provided with a pair of half annular grooves, each groove supporting a die half, means for fixedly securing the die half in each of said grooves, means for mounting each of said frames in a unit on a clamp stick, and means projecting from said frames and adapted to be engaged by an insulated stick for holding the frame in fixed position or for effecting a rotation of the frame to wind armor rods on an energized conductor, said latter means comprising three metal arms extending substantially radially and provided with eyes at their ends.

4. In a tool for applying armor rods to energized conductors, the combination of a pair of die halves, each die half being formed with a half circular central groove adapted to form a central aperture when the die halves are closed against each other, the said dies having a plurality of armor rod holes arranged in a circle about said central aperture, a supporting frame for each of said die halves, said frame being provided with a pair of half annular grooves, each groove supporting a die half, means for fixedly securing'the die half in each of said grooves, means for mounting each of said frames in a unit on a clamp stick, and means projecting from said frames and adapted to be engaged by an insulated stick for holding the frame in fixed position or for efiecting a rotation of the frame to wind armor rods on an energized conductor, the said frames being pivotally mounted upon each other in such manner that the die halves may be separated to be placed upon an energized conductor or brought together to be rotatably mounted upon said conductor.

5. Ina tool for applying armor rods to enerammonia each other; the". said:'dies-:having.:a plurality Of'i' armor ro'd holes :arranged --in. a circle about said: central--aperture;:a supportingiframe fore-each oiw said die 'halves; :said frame being. providedv with, a pair of ball: annular: grooves, leachvgroove' sup-M portingv a die 'halL-meaneior' fixedly. securing the 1-10 die-half in reach :of .-said;:grooves,-= means for= mou11ting.;each .of saidmframesx in ta .unit-aorr'a clampwstick, andwmeansf projecting from said;- frames and adapted-to -beiengagedtby an- .insu latedestick. forwholdingrjthe if-ramedn :fixed 1posi- 1 tion. or.for.:effecting a rotation ofethe frame-aowind armor rods on! an energized conductor the said frames being 1 pivotally .mountedupon .eacl1:.. other in such manner that the. die ihalves may-be separated .-to be placed upon -an energized.conductor-'-.orwbrought together tobe rotatably mounted upon-.-said-conductor, said :means dorm mounting upon a clamp. stick comprising a pair... of threaded membersacting on said. framesaandh provided. with i an. eye- -for engagement :withthe, clamp.- stick;

6.-In. a tool assembly-:for wrapping. armorrods on energized: conductors, the. .combinationuofaa pain of-.:supporting=frames, :each. of .said. frames. comprising a pair.of-SeparabIememberS pivotally mounted with..respectrtoteach other a pair; of die halves, one half being -,fixedly.-mounted .on 1 each-of saidmembers, andoeach die .halt bein provided with a, semis-circular series .-of apertures... forarmonrods, and a centrally locatedgroove, so that..thedie halves form. a vcentralaperture adapted. toreceive the energized .conductorwwhen the members anddie halvesareclosed, means for mounting eaohframe .upon. an insulated:.tool,.-the frames .beingspaced iromr-each other andsupa. portinga pluralityof armor rods insaidarmor. rodaapertures .to provide a :unitaryassembly which. maybe-liftedto. .the energized conductor,- icy-said insulatedtools; v

'7. In a tool .assemblyfor lwrappingarmor rods. on..energizedconductors, the combination of a pair of supporting r.frames,.-.each .of,said frames comprising a pair of separable members .pivotally. mounted with respect to. eachother,- a pair of: die ..halves,.one half being fixedly mounted on each of..said members,.andeach-die.half being provided .with a semi-circularseries .of-. apertures for...armor .rods,. anda .centrallylocated groove, so..that... the die. halves-.form..a central-aperture adapted to .receive the energized conductor. when. the members and diehalves are closed, means. for mountingeach frame upon an insulatedtooLthe frames being spaced. from each. other and sup.- porting.a plurality. of-armor rods in. said. armor rod aperturestoprovidea unitary assembly which. maybe lifted .to.the energized conductor by said. insulatedtools, and threeradially extending arms adapted to beengaged by an insulatedoperating stick, .whereby' each frame may. be alternately held.still, while .thelothe'r .frame is being ,rotated e5, by.another insulatedoperating stick...

8. In. a tool.assembly .for wrapping. armor rods on. energized conductors thecombinationof a. pair .ofsupporting frames, each of. said. frames. comprisinga pair of separable members pivotally mounted with respectto-eachother, -a pairof die. halves, one half being ,fixedly. mounted on each .of..said. members, and. each.die .half .beingprovidedwith a semi-circular seriesq-of apertures. for-armor rods, anda centrally located groovaso 7 8?} thatgz'the :die ha'1ves:-'form'..-a centralnaperturezadapted-to 'receivethe-energized. conductortwhem the members. and -die .halves are closed,--means for mounting-each framerupon an insulated tool, the frames being-.-. l aced==fromeach other; and supportingz-a plurality of armor rods .-in said. armorrod-apertures to provide a unitary. assent-1 bly gwhich-v may be: liftedtto the energized-cone ductorbyasaid insulated. tools, and: three radially extending. arms adapted to-be l-engaged by. an. insulated .toperating stick wherebyeach.,fra1nev may be,- alternately. held -still,.-.Wl'1ile, the,. other frame is being rotatedby: anotherinsulated operating stick, each of said arms being provided-at its. end with aneye-adapted .to receive the tool...

end of-a disconnect stick.

9. .-In.a tool assembly.for ..wrapping armor rods. on energized conductors; the :combination: of ,a pair of supporting frames, each of .said..frames comprising a pair of. separable. members -pivotally mountedwithrespectto.each other, a .pair.of.,. die:ha1ves,.one .halfbeing .carried .byeach. of s'aidz. members, and each die half beingprovided with. a semi-circular series of apertures forarmorrods, and .a -.centrally .located groove, .soathat ..the.,die'. halves. formaa central=.aperture. adapted tore, ceivethe energized .conductonwhen.themembers. anddie .halves are closed,. .meansior mounting. eachframe. upon. a. clamp stick,.the frames being... spaced..-from ..each other. and supporting ,a .plu-., ralit'ybf .armor rods .in saidarmor. ,rod. apertures. means ,for. securing :the -ends ..of. the armor ,-rods-.-v together .to providea unitary assemblywhichmaya. be liftedto .the energized-conductor .by..said.clamp.. stilcks one..of-.said members on eachframe being providedrvith .an eye} bolt ;pivotally'. mounted. in... a slot and projecting into'a slot .in .arradjacent member, and said meansior. suppo'rtingthe. framesupon ,clampsticks comprising a threaded-- member engaging. a threaded. portion of. saideye. bolt and engaging. against. an. adjacent. surface on the, adjacent. .member,v ,to drive the, members. together.

10. Ina tool assembly-forwrapping armorrods on energized'fconductors, .the. combination of..a pair of supporting frames, .each. of ..said .frames comprising a pairof separable 'memberspivotally. mounted'with respect toeach other,. a pair ..of -die. halves, one half .being carried..by.. each.lof..said. members, and each die half being .providedwith a semi-circular series. of. apertures for..armorrods, and a centrally located groove, so that the... diehalves form .a centralaperture adapted to receive the energized conductor when the mem-v bers and die halves are closed, means formounting' eachframe upon a clamp stick,.the frames. being spaced fromeach other, and supportinga plu'ralityof armor rods in said armor rod apere turesymeans forsecuring the ends'of the armor. rods together to provide'a unitary assembly which may be lifted to the energized conductor by said clamp sticks, one oi-said members on. eachframe being provided withaneye bolt piyotally mounted in a slot and projectinginto'a slot .in an adjacent member, andsaid. meansforsupporting the 1 frames upon, clamp 'sticks" comprising a. threaded member engaging a threaded portion of said eye bolt and engaging against an adjacent surface on the adjacent member, 1301dllVB'fthe membersttogether, said threaded member also be-' ing provided with an eyefor reception in a clamp.

stick and with. laterally. projecting lugs adapted. toabe'rfix'edly received irra slotinutherend. ofaclamp. stick headmu 4 v I 1 l-. In a tool-assembly-ior.wrappingyarmor rods;

on energized conductors, the combination of a pair of supporting frames, each of said frames comprising a pair of separable members pivotally mounted with respect to each other, a pair of die halves, one half being carried by each of said members, and each die half being provided with a semi-circular series of apertures for armor rods, and a centrally located groove, so that the die halves form a central aperture adapted to receive the energized conductor when the members and die halves are closed, means for mounting each frame upon a clamp stick, the frames being spaced from each other and supporting a plurality of armor rods in said armor rod apertures, means for securing the ends of the armor rods together to provide a unitary assembly which may be lifted to the energized conductor by said clamp sticks, each of said die halves being mounted in a half annular groove in one of said members, and said groove being provided with diametrically opposite pins and set screws for engagement in the sockets in the die halves, to hold the die halves in said grooves.

12. The method of applying straight armor rods to an energized conductor, which comprises supporting the rods in a pair of die assemblies, said die assemblies each having a hole for each of the rods, and the holes :being arranged in a circle whose center is located at an axial hole in said die assemblies, securing the ends of the rods together temporarily with the ends in substantial alignment with each other, arranging the die assemblies close to each other midway between the ends of the rods, opening the dies of each assembly to admit the conductor into each die assembly, closing the dies of each assembly on the conductor to mount the rods and dies rotatively upon the conductor, and rotating the two die assemblies in opposite directions to bend the rods spirally about the conductor as the die assemblies separate from each other.

13. The method of applying straight armor rods to an energized conductor, which comprises supporting the rods in a pair of die assemblies, said 10 die assemblies each having a hole for each of the rods, and the holes being arranged in a circle whose center is located at an axial hole in said die assemblies, securing the ends of the rods together temporarily with the ends in substantial alignment with each other, arranging the die assemblies close to each other midway between the ends of the rods, opening the dies of each assembly to admit the conductor into each die assembly, closing the dies of each assembly on the conductor to mount the rods and dies rotatively upon the conductor, and rotating the two die assemblies in opposite directions to bend the rods spirally about the conductor as the die assemblies separate from each other, and releasing the ends of the wires before the die assemblies approach said ends, so that the die assemblies may rotate spirally off the ends of the rods.

14. In a tool for applying armor rods, a pair of pivotally mounted frames, each frame having a half circular groove for receiving a half die, and each half circular groove being provided with a peripheral groove in which the die is mounted, a die in each of said frames, each die having a plurality of holes arranged in a half circle, and each die having a central groove whereby the central grooves form an aperture for receiving the conductor and the holes are arranged in a circle about the conductor for supporting armor rods, means for fixedly securing each die in its frame, and threaded means for moving one frame relative to the other, whereby the frames may be spread to separate the dies or brought together to close the dies.

DAVID C. HUBBARD.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bodendieck Jan. 14, 1947 Number 

